RN - Hospice - Grand Forks

Scope:

Administer skilled nursing care to clients requiring professional nursing service. Teach and supervise the family and other members of the nursing team. These services are performed in accordance with the physician's orders and under the direction and supervision of the Home Health & Hospice Regional Clinical Manager.
Has frequent contact with clients, family, other staff, client’s physician, and various members of the medical community.
Provide direct orientation and supervision of home health aides in clients’ homes.
Responsible for providing support to patients, families, and caregivers by triaging calls and making weekend visits to meet patient needs.
Perform duties in any nursing capacity as needed.
Plan, coordinate, provide and document care for terminally ill patients from day of admission through day of discharge.
Utilizing physicians’ orders and professional skills, develop and implement a hospice plan that meets each patient’s specific needs and follows Joint Commission, federal and state regulations, reimbursement guidelines as well as the organization’s policies and procedures.
The foundation of hospice nursing is a complete skilled assessment, communicating with IDG and patient/family, and following the plan of care to meet the needs of the patient and the family during the terminal process.

Key Responsibilities:

Conduct the Admission & Discharge of the Client to the Agency - Obtaining a medical history, particularly as it relates to the present condition, from the client and/or family member(s). Conducting a physical examination of the client, including vital signs, physical assessment, mental status, appetite and type of diet, etc. Evaluating the client, family member(s)/caregivers and home situation to determine what health education will be required. Evaluating the client's environment to determine what assistance will be available from family members/caregivers in caring for the client. Evaluating the client's condition and home situation to determine if other services will be required and the frequency of this service. Interpreting nursing and other services of the Agency to clients and families as a part of planning for care. Preparing OASIS documents, if indicated, and such other paperwork as may be required as well as implementing the nursing care plan. Perform admissions, recertification, resumptions of care, and discharge OASIS documentation. Provide case management for all clients on caseload.
Provide Skilled Nursing Care - Nursing services, treatments and preventative procedures requiring substantial specialized skill and ordered by the physician. Initiating preventative and rehabilitative nursing procedures as appropriate for the client's care and safety. Observing signs and symptoms and reporting to the physician reactions to treatments, including drugs, and changes in the client's physical or emotional condition. Educating, supervising and counseling the client and caregivers regarding the nursing care needs and other related problems of the client at home. Communicates orders to physicians through phone and/or fax. Completes the physician plan of care/485 as required. Updates client’s plan of care according to the client’s individual needs.
Evaluate the Care Given by the Home Health Aide to Clients - Supervise, orient, and evaluate home health aide care and duties per regulations. Create and update home health aides’ plans of care for clients. Participate in periodic meetings with the Regional Clinical Manager regarding the home health aide's performance. Report any concerns regarding home health aide’s performance to the Regional Clinical Manger.
Evaluation and Documentation of Client Cares - Document services rendered to the client, changes observed in the client's condition and/or caregiver and home situation, makes revisions in the nursing plan of care as needed, records supervisory visits conducted with the home health aide, evaluates client care and progress, prepares documentation required for continuing care and discharging services. Evaluate the effectiveness of nursing service to the individual and caregivers. Consults with the attending physician concerning alteration of the plan of care in consultation with the Regional Clinical Manager. Participate in care conferences when needed. Discuss with the Regional Clinical Manger problems concerning the clients and how they may best be handled. Discuss with the Regional Clinical Manger the need for involvement of other members of the health team such as the home health aide, physical therapist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, social worker, etc. Cooperate with other agencies providing nursing or related services to provide continuity of care and to implement a comprehensive care plan.
Client Records and Billing - Provide accurate and timely documentation of services rendered utilizing specific home care software. Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of all payer sources. Complete and/or check accuracy of completion and timely submission of billing information and appropriately account for all services rendered. Keep schedule on EMR as accurate and up to date as possible.
Communication - Demonstrate exceptional verbal and written communication skills for purpose of work tasks and client care. Able to clearly communicate with clients, families, staff and others to meet job requirements. Modify and adjust communications as needed to reach common understanding. Must have available and know how to use a cellular phone.
Follow-up Programs - Professionally connect with physicians, outside vendors and other healthcare professionals of services when appropriate to ensure continuum of care.
Leadership & Organizational Skills - Show exemplary qualities in attitude, effort and work performance. Work within parameters of budget and resources available. Evaluate outcomes of nursing interventions. Complete additional duties, projects, in-services, promotional events and program development as assigned by Home Health Regional Clinical Manager.
Professional Growth - Maintain professional and clinical knowledge by attending facility in-services and workshops/training on topics that provide depth to Ethos programming and professional development. Share and collaborate on knowledge acquired with team members for patient success. Demonstrate use of evidenced-based practice. Participate in clinical education opportunities for students of the profession.
Safety - Follow safety procedures for work environment and promote client safety while performing direct care.
Provide Case Management for Hospice Clients - Admission and ongoing assessments are accurate, and charting is completed in the home. Assist family and client with plan of care and goals to best meet the goals of the patient during the terminal illness process. Perform patient care responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of care for patient’s age and cultural practices. Address and support cultural practices as long as such practices do not harm others. Provide supervision and oversight of the home health aide. Knowledgeable of current federal, state, and organization regulations concerning patient care.
Provide Palliative Care & Pain Management - Perform all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors. Support and maintain a culture of safety and quality. Demonstrate knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and the patient’s clinical position. Understand the standing orders and provide pain relieve and comfort measures per doctor orders. Adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilize appropriate pain management techniques. Educate the patient and family regarding pain management. Ensure patient’s pain and symptoms are controlled. Respond to the physical, mental, social and emotional needs of terminally ill patients and their families. Offer ongoing support and palliative care. The hospice RN is on call and responsible for triaging all calls and providing coverage on weekends, evenings, and holidays.
Active Member of the IDG - Offer ongoing support and palliative care. Refer patient needs appropriately to ancillary services available. Perform all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/ health care errors. Initiate case conferences to discuss multidisciplinary team responsibilities, pain management, bereavement counseling, new problems, etc. Support and maintain a culture of safety and quality. Supervise Hospice Aides on an every other week basis.
Bereavement Care - Actively participate in the bereavement plan for all families and attends hospice community events.
Other Duties as Assigned - The duties and responsibilities listed above are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all inclusive.

Education and Experience Required:

Graduate of an approved school of professional nursing.
Current Registered Nurse licensure in the states of Minnesota and North Dakota.
Must obtain CPR certification within 6 months from date of hire.
Must have a valid driver’s license and use of an insured personal vehicle.
Must have adequate computer skills.
Abide by the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) privacy policy as administered by Ethos.
Must complete and pass a state required background study.
Able to physically perform the duties required by the position.
Required to have the ability to read, write and speak English well enough to communicate with staff, clients and families.

Reports To: Regional Clinical Manager%{{advertiserId}}% %%{{category}}%%

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